By Martin Couch
Raymar Road south is in the process of being rezoned from residential and commercial to highway commercial property in the future and is causing concerns from residents of Timber Creek, who live near the area.
"I would ask for 30 to 60 days to sit down with the property owners and come up with a resolution," said Timber Creek resident David Morse at the recent Bryant City Council meeting.[more]
Property owner Paul Eaton, who has requested the rezoning that would allow retail sales, wholesale sales, service, storage establishments and light industry into the area, noted that he would like to "work" with the residents of the area and hear their concerns, to try to come up with a resolution that would be satisfactory for everyone involved.
"I thought our representatives would at least protect us a little bit from problems that might occur to diminish our property values," said Dr. Don Barnett of 2812 Timber Creek Drive. "We don't want to have something at our back porch looking into our pools. This is something of a negative influence on the value of our homes, our safety and our security, so we want to do something to work it out. I don't understand why ya'll at least don't want to work with us.
“From what I have heard, this is already pushed through,” he continued. “What is favorable from ya'lls point of view for this to go through versus the people? It's hearsay, but basically the members decided to go ahead and stamp it, it's a done deal. For me being a citizen, it concerns me and there are quite a few of us who are upset with this."
Mayor Larry Mitchell was quick to respond that the City Council has no personal agenda on passing the proposal without discussing the situation further.
"We have had only one reading and there are two more readings before approval and a motion was made to delay this to give time for residents to get together with the owners and come up with a resolution," Mitchell said. "This is a process. A piece of property that is to be rezoned is looked at it and when it comes to the City Council, we don't have any agenda and I hope you don't think we do.
“We will make sure there is enough notification,” added the Mayor. “That's something our departments do, because we respect everybody's property. We are not trying to do anything or hide anything from anybody. That's why we do three readings. We want you to have the opportunity to come speak to us about it. We are not trying to do anything fast or get anything over on anybody."
Barnett answered, “That eases my mind and we are going to work with the owners about doing something. My main concern is having a development right into our back yard."
Ben Hisrow of 2702 Timber Creek also spoke about his concerns to the Council.
"What has got us stirred up a little bit is that there was a motion moved to remove the second and third reading and four of the City Councilmen voted to do that," Hisrow said. "We bought that land 14 years ago. What benefit to the city, other than tax dollars, is it to take that residential section out of that zone? We don't understand why do we need to be commercial butting up against the neighborhood. It destroys property value."
Other residents like Scott Masters, doesn't want businesses built behind his home.
"If you were on this side of the podium you wouldn't want a business built behind your house," he said. "It's a black mark on our property value. I don't think you'd want that and I've done everything I can do to protect my investment."
A motion was made and agreed to by the Council members to table the Raymar Road issue until November.
"The owners of the property are ready to visit with the residents and develop the property," Mitchell said. "It may be years off before they do anything with it and they want to take it one step at a time before that starts. They haven't been asked to start this quickly. I really believe they want to work with residents to come up with a resolution. They want to find out what the concerns are and work with them, but we are taking no action on this until the residents have had an opportunity to visit with the owners and see what is worked out."
